If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you know how frustrating and debilitating it can be. Low FODMAP Dietitians help those with IBS manage symptoms and find relief! They understand that you may experience abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of these, depending on the type of IBS you have. Low FODMAPs Dietitians know that you may feel anxious, depressed, or stressed about how your condition affects your daily life.
One of the most effective and thoroughly researched ways to manage IBS symptoms is to follow a low FODMAP diet. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can trigger or worsen IBS symptoms in some people. By finding ways to balance high FODMAP foods in your diet better, there is opportunity to improve your IBS symptoms and increase quality of life.
However, following a low FODMAP diet can be difficult to do on your own. Due to the complexity of the low FODMAP diet, trying to work through things on your own can result in unsatisfactory symptom relief and, ultimately, result in the decision to inaccurately rule out a low FODMAP diet as an effective treatment. We understand that finding credible information can be confusing. Unfortunately, doctors often do not have the time to partner with and refer patients to a Dietitian. Nevertheless, the low FODMAP diet requires careful planning, monitoring, and guidance from a qualified professional. In fact, clinical guidelines recommend dietetic-led delivery of the diet. That’s why working with a Registered Dietitian (RD) who specializes in low FODMAP diets (sometimes referred to as a “low FODMAP Dietitian”) is the best option for managing IBS with a low FODMAP diet.
What are the benefits of working with a low FODMAP Dietitian?
A low FODMAP Dietitian is an RD who has received additional training and education in the science and practice of low FODMAP diets. More practically, a low FODMAP Dietitian can help you with the details and day-to-day of a low FODMAP diet through all three phases, including:
- Assessing your individual needs and goals
- Designing a personalized low FODMAP meal plan that addresses your specific symptoms and suits your preferences, lifestyle, and budget
- Ensuring adequate intake of key nutrients that a low FODMAP diet can be low in
- Educating you on the basics of low FODMAP foods and how to read food labels
- Providing you with recipes, tips, and resources for low FODMAP cooking and eating out
- Supporting you through the three phases of the low FODMAP diet: elimination, reintroduction, and personalization
- Evaluating your progress, troubleshooting as needed, and adjusting your plan to support satisfactory symptom relief
- Addressing any challenges or concerns you may have along the way
- Collaborating with your other health care providers to ensure an integrative approach to your IBS management
Most importantly, they keep evidence-based considerations in mind. That is, evidence supports Dietitian-led FODMAP education as patients tend to experience more success when working with a Dietitian. Simply put, most successful research into the FODMAP diet includes support from a Dietitian. When a Dietitian is not used, it is not uncommon that success is not as optimal for patients. Ultimately, as noted above, clinical guidelines do recommend Dietitian-led delivery of the diet (e.g., the American College of Gastroenterology).
Finally, it is important to note that Dietitians can also refer to other health care providers as necessary. They screen for red flags and make referrals for further investigations ensuring optimal health outcomes. As with any disorder, there are other diseases (e..g, ulcerative colitis) that can be masked by IBS symptoms, particularly if IBS is undiagnosed by your physician. IBS symptoms are also triggered by a number of factors beyond diet alone (e.g., stress and anxiety). Therefore, Dietitians will refer patients to additional integrative care based treatment options as well where needed (e.g., Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT – learn more here). Ultimately, it is the responsibility of a Dietitian to manage risks associated with restrictive diets like a low FODMAP diet and ensure nutritional adequacy while designing the diet for long-term success. There are many factors to consider to ensure accurate and effective treatment that the average individual is not trained for.
Want to Learn More About an Integrative Medicine Based Approach for IBS?
Check out Awakened Actions’ IBS Treatment.
How can you find a low FODMAP Dietitian near you?
If you are interested in working with a low FODMAP Dietitian, you are in luck!. Our lead Registered Dietitian at Awakened Actions, Ashley, specializes in Nutrition Therapy for IBS as a low FODMAP Dietitian. She works virtually with clients across the United States. Moreover, Ashley is a fully licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist trained on the low FODMAP diet for IBS by Monash University. She also uses an integrative medicine based approach specialized in IBS care. Ashley provides personalized guidance to manage symptoms, reduce pain, and enhance digestive comfort.
Ashley works with most major insurance plans. To see if your plan is in-network, click here and we will be in touch to complete a benefits check. Then, Ashley will set you up in Healthie – our virtual telehealth platform — for your medical nutrition therapy appointments. If you have any questions for Ashley, please do not hesitate to ask. Ultimately, Ashley’s goal to ensure you feel comfortable and confident with your choice of working with her as your personal low FODMAP Dietitian. In the end, she will be your partner in your journey to better gut health and increased quality of life!
Rest assured, a low FODMAP Dietitian is the best way to manage IBS with a low FODMAP diet. Ashley will help you achieve optimal results from this evidence-based dietary approach. Critically, she makes certain your nutritional needs are met and that you enjoy your food.
Are you ready to take control of your IBS symptoms and improve your quality of life? Begin your journey with, Ashley, your personal low FODMAP Dietitian today.
P.S. — Did You Know?
Registered Dietitians (RDs) have a deep understanding about food and nutrition. They use the understanding to help individuals with the maintenance of health and the management of disease. They often have a Master’s in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics as licensed, registered health professionals. RDs are experts in educating patients about disease-specific dietary management. Also, RDs adhere to strict ethics for evidence-based practice. With IBS, Dietitians are the driving force behind the nutrition research that established the efficacy of the low FODMAP diet. The low FODMAP diet is the first line approach for IBS management in clinical practice guidelines.
Recent Comments